Memphis Safe Task Force Apprehends Over 300 Gang Members Including Foreign Terrorists

Image Credit: @USMarshalsHQ / X

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

The Memphis Safe Task Force (MSTF) has made over 3,000 arrests since its inception including more than 300 gang members, many of whom have ties to “terroristic” gangs according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

As of Nov. 26, the agency, which is spearheading the MSTF, reports 3,255 total arrests with 337 of those being gang-related. The Marshals also note the recovery of 121 missing children and the seizure of 512 firearms.

Ryan Guay, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal, shared with WREG during a recent ride-along that while the MSTF isn’t necessarily targeting terrorist organizations or gangs, they have frequently come upon individuals linked to them during their daily operations or in the process of serving warrants.

Guay offered several examples of individuals arrested in October for one offense who were later discovered to have deeper ties to these criminal gangs:

Oct. 1- Alexander Hosea Gonzalez Urribarri was arrested for illegal immigration, but the task force tied him to the violent Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang (TdA), which has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by President Trump.

Guay noted there have been at least five arrests by the MSTF that started with immigration or other various charges and led to TdA connections.

Oct. 11- Jesus Delgado Rivas arrested for an immigration violation, believed to be TdA.

Oct. 18- Angel Torez Borges & Orlando Cuadrado arrested for money laundering. They reportedly had $60,000 on them at the time of arrest, both suspected to be TdA.  

Oct. 19- Devin Tolbert arrested for possessing a stolen handgun and controlled substance, suspected TdA connection.

Oct. 22- Francisco Lopex Altamerana was arrested again after already having been deported twice before. MSTF suspects he is connected to a different gang that was not named.

Oct. 23- A documented Los Serranos gang member wanted for two counts of aggravated domestic assault, domestic violence, felony theft, and failure to appear was arrested. Guay said the individual came to the attention of the task force because they were allegedly involved in an armed kidnapping or attempted kidnapping earlier that day.

WKRG expressed difficulty in following the court cases of these suspects, but Guay reiterated the duty of the task force is to be arresting agents, not judiciary moderators. He stated that gang members are simply being caught in the law enforcement crackdown and believes that to be a positive aspect of the task force’s work.  

“I hope that one less gang member off the street, one less terrorist organization, members off the street, the safer Memphis can become,” Guay said.

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.